Shoe construction



May 1,1934. W.N. SECHLER SHOE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 25, 1932 a M C 6 w m M H Fatented May 1, 1934 sic SHOE CONSTRUCTIQN William N. Sechler, Evanston, llll., assignor to The Florsheim Shoe Company, Chicago, ill, a corporation of Illinois Application July 25, 1932, Serial No. 624,470

32 Claims.

This invention has to do with an improvement to the arch of the foot than has heretofore been ject the provision of a shank comprising essentially an arch stiffening element and a support "for the ball of the foot, involving a minimum of 3 parts and which may be constructed at a low cost.

It is another object of the invention to provide a multi-part shank construction which may be readily assembled in substantially a single operation and in which rivets and the like are entirely obviated.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a shank construction which will afford a resilient support for the ball or metatarsal part of the foot, the construction being such that the parts cannot be twisted or otherwise manipulated when included in a shoe which is ready for wear.

carrying out the invention into practice,

5 there is provided a shank stiffening part and a metatarsal arch supporting part, arranged for relative pivotal movement, one of the parts havportions engageable with the other part on opposite sides of the pivot and above and below said other parts, whereby relative pivotal movement in one direction is prevented Spring means is located. between portions of the parts extending beyond the axis of pivotal motion for preventing longitud'mal separation of the parts, said'spring means being arranged to yieldably resist the pivotal motion in the direction opposite to that in which such movement is prevented. Each of the members is provided with guide portions arranged substantially parallel to the plane of pivotal movement, said portions being arranged to guide one another in such movement serving also to prevent twisting of the parts also substantial pivotal movement relative to each other about any axis other'than that mentioned.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

Figure 1 is a plan view of an insole of a shoe provided with a shank constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken approximately as indicated by the line IIII in Figure 1, portions of the shoe associated with the insole being shown also, the improved shank construction appearing in elevation.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the improved arch shank construction;

Figure l is a view similar to Figure 3 except that the parts are shown in elevation;

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by the line VV of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one form of spring employed for connecting the parts of the shank construction;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modified form of spring for this purpose;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of the bottom of the improved shank construction as seen adjacent one end when in use; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the details of the joint of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, wherein the invention is illustrated in its application to a womans shoe, although it will be understood that it is applicable likewise to a mans or childs shoe, the insole A has its shank B provided with the shank appliance which is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and is designated generally by the numeral 1. The shank appliance is superimposed upon the shank B and comprises essentially an arch stiffener member or shank-piece 2 and a m tatarsal arch supporting flap member or piece 3. I

The shank piece 2 is curved longitudinally in accordance with the curvature of the shank B and is for the most part substantially V-shaped or conoavo-convex in transverse section for purposes of rigidity and reinforcement as shown at 4. The rear end of the shank piece 2 is forked at 5 to straddle the screw (not shown) which is employed in fastening the heel C in position. The lower end of the shank piece 2 is preferably of conventionai channel shape as shown at 6, merging with the substantially V-shaped portion 4 as shown at 7. The bottom 8 of the channel portion is notched adjacent the flanges 9 at 10, leaving the intermediate finger or prong 11 whose extremity is turned up at 12. The tongue or finger 11 preferably extends below the lower edges 13 of the flanges 9, although such an arrangement is not absolutely necessary to the proper functioning of the stiffening piece 2.

The metatarsal arch supporting element 3 has its forward portion bent upon itself and shaped to present a convex upper surface as shown at 3*, the curvature corresponding generally to the correct curvature of the part of the foot to be supported thereby. The rear portion of the element 3 is bulged upwardly toward the portion 3 as indicated at 14, in substantially the form of a channel, the portion of the element 3 beneath the convex part 3 being substantially fiat. The flanges 15 of the portion 14 are cut away at 16, leaving shoulders 1'? at the rear ends of the wings 18. The web 19 of the channel shaped portion 14 is provided with a downwardly struck lug 20 adjacent the rear end thereof.

The present invention contemplates the use in addition to the foregoing stiffening piece 2 and anterior metatarsal arch supporting element 3, of a spring 21 which, in the form illustrated in Figure 6, is in the general shape of a rectangle which is bent upon itself along a line substantially parallel to a short side of the rectangle and which .is preferably not equidistant from the ends of the rectangle. The short substantially U-shaped portion 22 is disposed below the long substantially U-shaped portion 23, when in use, and is of a width in excess of the width of the upstanding end or lug 12 of the shank piece 2. Moreover, the cross bar 24 of the U-shaped portion 22 is spaced forwardly of the cross bar 25 of the U- shaped portion 23 a distance substantially equal to the length of the tongue 11 on the shank piece 2 and the distance between the lug 20 and the .shoulders 17 on the supporting piece3.

The parts are assembled as follows:

The supporting piece is placed upside down, that is, with the lug 20 facing upward, and the spring 21 allowed to rest on the web 19, the cross bar 25 being disposed adjacent the inner side of the lug 20 and the short u-chaped portion 22 exranged, the shoulders 17 of the piece 3 are spaced from the near ends 26 of the notches 10 of the piece 2 a distance equal to or in excess of the combined thickness of the cross bar 24 and the lug 12.

The short U-shaped portion 22 of the spring is thereupon depressed suihciently to allow the lug 12 to pass over the same, whereupon, upon release of pressure upon the portion 22, the same is restored by its spr ng action to its normal spaced relation to the long U-shaped portion 23, the cross bar 24 settling behind the lug 12 in hooked relation thereto as shown. This brings the shoulders 17 of the piece 3 in substantial engagement with the ends 26 of the notches 10 of the piece 2..

The lug 20 is so dimensioned that when the parts are connected as above explained, it abuts vthe web 8 of the shank piece 2 as indicated at 27, at the same time that the lower edges 13 of the prongs 9 engage the upper surfaces 28 of the wings 18. The pieces 2 and 3 are thus articulated so that the supporting piece 3 is allowed to pivot about a hinge line passing through the contacting portions of the shoulders 17 and notch ends 26 in a downward direction, but not in an upward direction from the position illustrated. The prongs 9 straddle the sides 15 of the bulged portion 14 of the supporting piece 3, and these parts are of sufficient length and height to positively prevent twisting apart of the pieces 2 and 3 when connected as described.

When this device is applied to a shoe, the convexly shaped part 3 is arranged substantially centrally of the metatarsal arch of the wearer. If desired, a slight sidewise tilt may be afforded the piece 3 so that it may adjust itself laterally t a perfect fit for the metatarsal arch.

When the parts are connected, the spring 21 may be under initial tension or not, depending on the desire-d degree of resistance to pivotal 1novement of the piece 3.

In Figure '7 a modified form of spring construction is shown at 29. The U-shaped portions 30 and 31 are at an angle to each other, and are coiled at 32, to afford an initial yielding pressure on the supporting piece 3.

The form of spring hereinabove described may be varied without departing from the principles of the invention. For example, a leaf spring of substantiallythe same shape as those appearing in Figures 6 and 7, or a spring which extends only between the lugs 12 and 26 could be employed, each such spring of course functioning to yieldably urge the piece 3 upward.

t will be further appreciated that the arrangement of prongs, lugs and associated structure could be reversed as to the pieces 2 and 3, and such reversal of parts is within the contemplation of the invention.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the parts may be assembled by substantially a single simple operation, may be produced at an extremely low cost of manufacture, provides a yielding support for the metatarsal arch of the foot, cannot be twisted apart when once assembled and obviates the use of rivets or the like. The spring is located between the metallic pieces 2 and 3, and between said pieces and the insole so that, when the invention is embodied in a shoe, access to the spring to disassemble the joint is prevented.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. Arch construction comprising a piece extending above the sole of a shoe tially the tarsometatarsal articulations, a flap ringed to the front end of the shank piece and arranged to lie beneath the metatarsal arch of the foot, means associated with the hinged portions of said piece and flap for preventing upward, but not downward, movement of the flap relative to the piece, l

and a spring connected to said portions for yieldably resisting downward pivotal movement of said flap.

2. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes,

comprising a piece provided with outer and internecting said portion with the intermediate prong for preventing separation of said pieces.

3. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs at its forward end, a second piece, instrumentalities affording a pivotal connection therebetween, said second piece having means for engaging the under sides of the outer prongs and having a portion for overlying the intermediate prong, and means connecting said portion with said intermediate prong for preventing separation of said pieces, the last mentioned means being resilient for yieldably resisting ivotal movement or" the second piece relative to the first piece.

4. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a shank piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs at its forward end, a second piece having means for engaging the under sides of the outer prongs and having a portion for overlying the intermediate prong, and means for preventing separation of said pieces, one of said ieces including a cavity in which the last men tioned means is received and being so arranged, when operatively associated with the shoe, as to render the last mentioned means inaccessible.

5. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs at its forward end, a second piece, instrumentalities affording a pivotal connection therebetween, said second piece having means for engaging the under sides of the outer prongs and having a portion for overlying the intermediate prong, and a spring connecting said portion with said intermediate prong for preventing separation of said pieces, and for yieldably resisting pivotal movement of the second piece relative to the first piece, one of said pieces including a cavity in which said spring is received.

6. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs at its forward end, a second piece having means for engaging the under sides of the outer prongs and having a portion for overlying the intermediate prong, and means connecting said portion with the intermediate prong for preventing separation of said pieces, said second piece being provided with walls for substantial bearing relation to said outer prongs, whereby to prevent twisting apart of said pieces.

'7. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, rising a piece provided with outer and iniediate prongs at its forward end, a second piece, instrumentalities affording a pivotal connection therebetween, said second piece having nea for engaging the under sides of the outer prongs and having a portion for overlying the intermediate prong, and means connecting said portion with said intermediate prong for preventseparation of said pieces, the last mentioned means being resilient for yieldably resisting pivotal movement of the second piece relative to the first piece, said second piece being provided with walls for substantial bearing relation to said outer prongs, whereby to prevent twisting apart of said pieces.

8. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs at its forward end, a second piece having means for engaging the under sides of the outer prongs and having a portion for overlying the intermediate prong, and means connecting said portion with the intermediate prong for preventing separation of said pieces, said portion being in engagement with the first piece at a place rearwardly of the places of engagement of the first means with said outer prongs, whereby upward pivotal movement of the second piece relative to the first piece is limited.

9. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs at its forward end, a second piece, instrumentalities affording a pivotal connection therebetween, said second piece having means for engaging the under sides of the outer prongs and having a portion for overlying the intermediate prong, and means connecting said portion with said intermediate prong for preventing separation of said pieces, the last mentioned means being resilient for yieldably resisting pivotal movement of the second piece relative to the first piece, said portion being in engagement with the first piece at a place rearwardly of the places of engagement of the first means with said outer prongs, whereby upward pivotal movement of the second piece relative to the first piece is limited.

10. As an article of manufacture, a flap of sheet metal having a bulged portion of substantially channel shape in cross section, said flap adjacent said bulged portion providing flanges arranged in substantial parallelism to the web of said bulged portion, said flanges being cut away adjacent one end of the bulged portion, said bulged portion being provided at its web with a struckup lug extending into the channel at a point inermediate said end of the bulged portion and the ends of said flanges.

ll. As an article of manufacture, a shank piece having a channel shaped forward end and substantially V-shaped throughout substantially the remainder of its length.

12. As an article of manufacture, a shank piece having a forward substantially channel shaped portion providing a web and flanges, said web being notched adjacent the flanges to provide prongs, one of the prongs having an offset portion extending toward the channel.

13. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs at its forward end, a second piece, in'strumentalities affording a pivotal connection therebetween, said second pie e having means for engaging the under sides of the outer prongs and having a portion overlying the intermediate prong, and means connecting said portion with said intermediate prong for preventing separa tion of pi ces, the second means being resilient for yieldably resisting pivotal movement of the second pi ce relative to the first piece, and comprising a spring of substantially rectangular shape and bent upon itself along a line substantially parallel to and not equidistant from its short the longer portion of the spring being disposed against said second piece, and said intermediate prong being hooked to the bight of the shorter portion of the spring.

14. Arch construction for shoes, comprising a shank piece having a channel shaped forward end, a tongue extending forwardly from the web of said channel shaped end and fingers extending forwardly from each of the flanges of said end, the tongue having a portion extending toward the channel, a metatarsal arch supporting piece having a channel shaped rear end and provided with wings extending laterally from said rear end, the web of the second end having a portion extending into the second channel toward the web of the first channel, and a member disposed between and engaging said portions to prevent separation of said pieces, said wings providing seats for said fingers and the second portion engaging the first web to limit pivotal movement of the second piece upwardly of the first piece, said member being resilient for yieldably resisting downward pivotal movement of the second piece. p

i5. Arch construction comprising a shank piece extending above the sole of a shoe to substantially the tarsometatarsal articulations, a fiap hinged to the front end of the shank piece and arranged to lie beneath the metatarsal arch of the foot, means associated with the hinged portions of said piece and flap for limiting upward movement of the flap relative to the piece, and a spring connected to said portions for yieldably resisting downward pivotal movement of said flap.

16. Arch construction comprising a shank piece extending above the sole of a shoe to substantially the tarsornetatarsal articulations, a flap hinged to the front end of the shank piece and arranged to lie beneath the metatarsal arch of the foot, means associated with the hinged portions of said piece and fiap for limiting upward movement of the fiap relative to the piece, and a spring substantially enclosed by said piece and flap and connected to said portions for yieldably resisting downward pivotal movement of said flap.

1'7. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs, a second piece engageable with the same sides of the outer prongs and with the opposite side of the intermediate prong, and means connecting the second piece with the intermediate prong for preventing separation of the pieces.

18. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs, a second piece, instrumentalities affording a pivotal connection therebetween, said second piece being engageable with the same sides of the outer prongs and the opposite side of the intermediate prong, and means connecting the second piece with the intermediate prong iorpreventing separation of said pieces, said means being resilient for yleldably resisting pivotal movement of one piece relative to the other piece.

19. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes,

. comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs, a second piece, instrumentalities affording a pivotal connection therebetween, said second piece being engageabie with the same sides of the outer prongs and the opposite side of the intermediate prong, and means connecting said second piece with the intermediate prong for preventing separation of the pieces, said means being resilient for yieldably resisting pivotal movement of the second piece relative to the first piece, said second. piece being provided with walls extending substantially parallel to the prongs and transverse to a line connecting the prongs, and engageable with at least two longitudinal prong edges, whereby to prevent twisting apart of said prongs.

20. A. reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs, a second piece, instrumentalities afiording a pivotal connection therebetween, said second piece being engageable with the same sides of the outer prongs and the opposite side of the intermediate prong, and means connecting said second piece with the intermediate prong for preventing separation of the pieces, said means being resilient for yieldably resisting pivotal movement 'of the second piece relative to the first piece, the

places of engagement of the outer prongs being longitudinally spaced from the place of engagement of the intermediate prong, whereby pivotal movement of one piece relative to the other is afforded on only one side of the plane defined by said places of engagement.

21. In arch construction for shoes, a stiff shank piece having a notched channel-shaped end providing flange and intermediate web prongs, a second stiff piece for supporting the ball of the foot and having a channel-shaped end, said ends being in inverted and telescoped relation whereby relative lateral movement between the pieces is substantially prevented and whereby guiding means is afforded for vertical pivotal movement of the second piece, the second piece having seats for the lower edges of the flange prongs, the second p ie'ce engaging the first piece at the bights of thespaces between the prongs and having a lug engaging the first web rearwardly of said bights to prevent upward pivotal movement of the second piece, said first piece having a lug forwardly of the first named lug, and a spring between the lugs and webs, said spring being substantially stiil lengthwise of the pieces to prevent longitudinal separation of the pieces, and being relatively yieldable vertically to permit pivotal movement of the second piece downwardly relative to the first piece. v

22. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a shank piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs at its forward end, a second piece having means for engaging the under sides of the outer prongs and having a portion for overlying the intermediate prong, and spring means associated with said pieces for preventing separation thereof, one of said pieces being so arranged, when operatively associated with the shoe, as to render the spring means inaccessible.

23. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediateprongs at its forward end, a second piece rockably associated with the first piece, said second piece having means for engaging the under sides of the outer prongs and having a portion overlying the intermediate prong, and a spring connecting said portion with said intermediate prong for preventing separation of said pieces and for yieldably resisting pivotal movement of the second piece relative to the first piece in one direction, said spring having a pair or arms, one of the arms engaging said portion, and the other arm being hooked to the intermediate prong.

2d. Arch construction comprisng a shank piece extending above the sole of a shoe to substantially the ball oi the shoe, a flap rockably associated with the front end of th'e shank piece and arranged to lie beneath the ball of the foot, means associated with the piece and flap for limiting upward movement of the flap relative to the piece, and a spring connected to said portions so as to be inaccessible when the piece and flap are in operatively assembled position with a shoe, whereby to yieldably resist downward pivotal movement of the flap and prevent tampering with said construction.

25. Arch construction comprising a shank piece extending above the sole of a shoe to substantially the ball thereof, a flap rockab-ly associated with the front end of the shankpiece and arranged to lie beneath the ball of the foot, means associated with the piece and flap for limiting upward movement of the flap relative to the piece, and a spring substantially enclosed by said flap and arranged to yieldably resist downward pivotal movement of the flap.

26. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs, a second piece engageable with the same sides of the outer prongs and with the opposite side of t -e intennediate prong, and resilient means connecting said pieces to prevent separation thereof, said means being disposed substantially entirely within the confines of one of said pieces for afiording a yieldably resisted pivotal movement between said pieces.

2'7. In a support of the class described, a piece formed to extend above the sole of a shoe to substantially the ball thereof, a second piece rockably associated with and overlapping the first piece and arranged to lie beneath the ball of the foot, spring means connecting said pieces against separation and arranged so as to enable the second pi ce to rock downwardly against the action of said means in response to pressure of the ball of the foot, said means being substantially entirely enclosed by the second piece so as to render said means inaccessible when the support is secured to a shoe.

28. In a support of the class described, a piece formed to extend above the sole of a shoe to substantially the ball thereof, a second piece rockably associated with and overlapping the first piece and arranged to lie beneath the ball of the foot, spring means connecting said pieces against separation and arranged so as to enable the sec ond piece to rock downwardly against the action of said means in response to pressure of the ball of the foot, said means being substantially entirely enclosed by the second piece so as to render said means inaccessible when the support is secured to a shoe, said pieces being formed with coengaging bearing surfaces parallel to the plane of rocking movement to prevent twisting of said pieces apart.

29. A reinforcing arch construction for shoes, comprising a piece provided with outer and intermediate prongs at its forward end, a second piece, instrumentalities affording a pivotal connection therebetween, said second piece having means for engaging the under sides of the outer prongs and having a portion for overlying the intermediate prong, and a spring connecting said portion with said intermediate prong for preventing separation of said pieces, and for yieldably resisting pivotal movement of the second piece relative to the first piece, one of said pieces including a cavity in which said spring is received, said cavity being arranged to be inaccessible when said pieces are eperativeiy assembled with a shoe, so that tampering with the spring is prevented.

30. In a reinforcing arch construction for shoes, a fore part, an independent rear part rockably associated with the fore part, and a substantialiy U-shaped spring connecting said parts so as to yieldably resist rocking movement of one of the parts relative to the other in one direction.

31. In a reinforcing arch construction for shoes, fore and rear parts rockably associated with and overlapping each other, the overlapping portions having abutments located on opposite sides of the rocking axis, and a spring connecting said parts together so as to yieldably resist rocking movement of one of the parts relative to the other in one direction and disposed between said abutments so as to prevent separation of said parts when assembled with a shoe.

32. In a reinforcing arch construction for shoes, fore and rear parts rockably associated 195 with and overlapping each other, the overlapping portions having abutments located on opposite sides of the rocking axis, and a spring connecting said parts uogether so as to yieldably resist rocking movement of one of the parts re1ative to the other in one direction and disposed between said abutments so as to prevent separation of said parts when assembled with a shoe, said abutments being arranged so as to require the spring to be snapped into position between them, whereby said spring must be flexed in order to disassemble the parts, said parts being arranged so as to render the spring inaccessible when assembled in a shoe.

WILLIAM N. SECI-ILER. 

